This collage of images demonstrates a small number of the many crossing signs we encountered along our US journey. We found some of them interesting and others humorous. In addition to the usual student, people, trucks, etc. crossings and the ones shown above, we also saw crossing signs for: mountain lions, cowboys, gators, big horn sheep, bison...
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Despite reducing our travel days to (just) 79 (from an originally intended 92) we visited 39 states (We've now been to 41 in all). We travelled 25357 kilometres. I tried 31 varieties of beer. I believe we went to 21 national parks.
Other highlights included: Lakes - Tahoe, Havasu, Mono, Powell, etc. Beaches - The Jersey Shore, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, Jacksonville, Panama City Beach, Coronado Beach, Laguna, Santa Monica/Venice, etc. By request and popular demand, here's the update regarding my beer experimentation/samplings/consumption/enjoyment. In the end, I tried 31 different beers on this extended vacation. Some beers were selected as being representative of the region, some because they sounded unique, and others were just too cheap to resist. I bought a 30 pack of Busch Classic for $13.49 at Walmart (with no additional taxes)! I gladly accepted Budweiser and Bud Light from fellow RVers while "neighbouring" along the way. While having difficulty deciding upon selections, I was thrilled when the store manager informed me that I could mix-and-match to create my own 6-packs and I'd be charged a per bottle price according to the original cost of each kind. I ended up choosing mostly seasonal / sessional brews from around the US. My "summer" brews included: Brooklyn Summer Lager, Mayflower Brewing Co. Summer Rye Ale, Breckenridge Brewery Summer Bright Ale, Troegs Brewery Sunshine Pils, Shipyard Brewing Co. Summer Ale, Sierra Nevada Summerfest, Sam Adams Porch Rocker, Sam Adams Summer Ale, and Traveler Illusive Shandy (with lemon peel & grapefruit juice). The selections transitioned to Fall beers: Harpoon Oktoberfest, Shiner Oktoberfest, and Sam Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale. I finally tried Rolling Rock Extra Pale after wanting to for years. More standard selections included Miller High Life and Sam Adams Boston Lager. Rounding out the Sam Adams sampler pack were White Lantern, Belgian Session, and Blueberry Hill Lager. I enjoyed both the Busch Copper Ale and the Lagunitas "The Censored" Rich Copper Ale (6.7%). Other higher alcohol content selections were: Long Trail Brewing Co. Limbo IPA (7.6%), Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale (7.2%), and Java Head (7.5%), which is brewed with coffee beans. I also tried Anchor Steam Beer and Magic Hat #9 ("Not Quite Pale Ale"). Finally, I also purchased a compromise Redd's sampler pack: Apple Ale, (Apple)Strawberry Ale, and Hard Iced Tea Ale. This ale is enough like a cider that Lisa actually enjoyed it too. I'm not sure whether it would be a great thing if Canadian taxes were as low as those in the States or not; I would be so tempted to buy more beer. At any rate, it's great to partake when visiting the USA!
Early on during our trip I posted regarding possible nicknames for our motorhome. Shortly after the original post, I found myself thinking of the RV as "Gnarly Candy". Unfortunately, things too often became a little (or a lot) gnarly when dealing with our RV. Other days she was nothing short of a sweet ride. This combination resulted in "Gnarly Candy". I then realized that this nickname covered two of the letters of the make GMC. I began toying with options for the "M": mechanical, manic, massive, etc. The final name... Gnarly Machine Candy.
I have always said that Vecsey is the best looking dog in the world. Lisa dared to suggest that I may be a tad biased. This holiday has finally convinced Lisa that I have been right all along. Hundreds of people went out of their ways to compliment our beautiful girl. We were told time and time again how pretty she is and that complete strangers love our dog. People of all ages, from all walks of life, from all socio-economic backgrounds, wanted to pet her, hug her, talk to her, and learn more about her. She brought smiles to the faces of people in all 39 states that we visited. People who never would have spoken to us otherwise, struck up conversations about our cute "puppy". Each time either of us felt down because of vehicle problems, Vecsey was able to comfort us by simply accepting our hugs and love. She is a great travel companion, a lovely soul, a loyal friend, and the best looking dog in the world!
A short morning drive brought us to my Aunt Val and Uncle Kip's home for a visit. We were very pleased to meet the newest/youngest member of our extended family as my cousin was visiting her parents. Caedmon looks just like his dad (with the exception of having lips like his mother) and is a wonderful little guy. It was great chatting with family over lunch before heading across the border to my parents' in Langley. We made it back to Canada and spent the evening visiting with more family and friends before crashing in a "real bed" for the first time in months. (Approximately 100 kilometres completed our extended road trip.)
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